N.J. resident infected by malaria could be first ‘homegrown’ case in decades, state says

Investigators are trying to determine whether a Morris County resident infected with malaria represents the first locally-acquired case of the disease in New Jersey since 1991.

The resident, who has no international travel history, was not identified. No other information about them was released by the New Jersey Departments of Health and Environmental Protection which are investigating the case and working with the CDC to find potential sources of the infection.

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite transmitted by certain mosquitoes and is widespread in many tropical and subtropical countries, the agencies said in a joint statement.

There are about 100 travel-associated cases of malaria reported in New Jersey each year, officials said. Locally-acquired malaria typically occurs when a mosquito bites a person infected with travel-associated malaria, acquiring the parasite, and then bites another person, passing on the infection.

Although the Anopheles mosquitoes that transmit malaria are present in the Garden State, the risk of locally-acquired malaria remains low, investigators said.

“While risk to the general public is low, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to prevent locally acquired malaria in New Jersey,” Acting New Jersey Health Commissioner Jeff Brown said in a statement. “The most effective ways are to prevent mosquito bites in the first place and to ensure early diagnosis and treatment of malaria in returning travelers.”

Malaria typically causes fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue, the agencies said. It can also cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In most cases, infected persons develop symptoms seven to 30 days after exposure.

Malaria can be cured with prescription antimalarial drugs, but it can be life-threatening if it is not diagnosed and treated quickly, authorities said.

Mosquitoes are the world’s deadliest animal, spreading diseases like malaria, dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, Zika, and more, according to the CDC.

While not all mosquitoes carry it, West Nile is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States, according to the CDC. It is not unusual to see the illness in New Jersey, but cases have gone up in recent years.

Summer and early fall months are peak times for other mosquito-borne diseases in New Jersey, authorities said.